Islam the Balanced and Moderate Religion (2/2)

Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Zayd bin Aslam[1] said, "The Messenger of Allah and his Companions were in the area of Al-Hudaybiyyah when the idolaters prevented them from visiting the House (Ka'bah), and that was especially hard on them. Later on, some idolaters passed by them from the east intending to perform `Umrah. So the Companions of the Prophet said, `Let us prevent those (from `Umrah) just as their fellow idolaters prevented us.' Thereafter, Allah sent down this Verse.'' Ibn Abbas[2] and others said that "Shana'an'' refers to enmity and hate. Allah said also,

 “Help one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa; but do not help one another in sin and transgression.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:2)

Allah commands His believing servants to help one another by performing righteous, good deeds, which is the meaning of `Al-Birr', and to avoid sins, which is the meaning of `At-Taqwa'. Allah forbids His servants from helping one another in sin, `Ithm' and committing the prohibitions. Ibn Jarir said that, "Sin means abandoning what Allah has ordained, while transgression means overstepping the limits that Allah set in your religion, along with overstepping what Allah has ordered concerning yourselves and others.'' It has been recorded that Anas bin Malik[3] said that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

 “Support your brother whether he was unjust or the victim of injustice.” He was asked, "O Messenger of Allah! We know about helping him when he suffers injustice, so what about helping him when he commits injustice'' He (Peace be upon him) said: “Prevent and stop him from committing injustice, and this represents giving support to him.”[4]

And Allah The Most Magnificent says:

 “Verily! Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those, to whom they are due; and that when you judge between men, you judge with justice. Verily, how excellent is the teaching which He (Allah) gives you! Truly, Allah is Ever All Hearer, All Seer.” (Surah An-Nisa’, 4:58)

Ibn Kathir said about this verse: commanding justice when judging between people. Muhammad bin Ka`b [5], Zayd bin Aslam and Shahr bin Hawshab[6] said; "This Verse was revealed about those in authority'', meaning those who judge between people. A Hadith (Prophetic narration) states: “Allah is with the judge as long as he does not commit injustice, for when he does, Allah will make him reliant on himself.”[7] Also Allah said:

 “Verily, how excellent is the teaching which He (Allah) gives you!” (Surah An-Nisa’, 4:58)

This verse meaning, "Allah’s commands to return the trusts to their owners, to judge between people with justice, and all of His complete, perfect and great commandments and laws."[8]

Know, my beloved reader, that justice is obligatory upon the Muslims and a right, which everyone holds upon them, Muslims as well as non-Muslims. Justice and equality are rights, which every human being has upon us. Furthermore, the Muslims are ordered with establishing justice amongst themselves and all the people in general in all of their dealings.

Justice is obligatory upon the Muslims even if there are found some feelings of hatred, anger, and hostility as Allah says:

 “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah and be just witnesses and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety, and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Well Acquainted with what you do.” (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:8)

Justice and equality are also obligatory even if there are some feelings of love, affection and relationship as Allah says:

 “O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be the rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well Acquainted with what you do.” (Surah An-Nisa', 4:135)

The Muslims are ordered with establishing justice and equality at all times in all places, while being witnesses for Allah's sake and no one else's sake. Being just and fair for ones fear from Allah and his religious piety, placing everyone and everything in its proper place with justice is the straight and upright way. Not being swayed or averted from justice due to feelings and emotions such as love and affection, friendship, kinship, hatred, anger and hostility. All of this being done for the sake of Allah and being obedient to Allah's commandments.

This type of justice has never been seen nor experienced throughout the history of the world except in Islam and amongst the Muslims. So let’s compare and take a look at how justice and equality were practiced amongst the Jews and the Christians.